70s Interior Design Trends – 9 Ideas to Celebrate the Decade
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Kristin Hitchcock
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While it may not seem like it, the epic decade that was the 1970s was a long time ago. Many trends from the 70s have long gone and are now considered significantly outdated. However, some of them have reappeared in full force. While the 2000s were all about modern, sleek designs, some people are adding a bit more character to their home – and they’re using 70s styles to do it.
Below, we’ve listed some 70s trends that are suddenly popping back up. If you’re looking for a way to celebrate the 70s and pay homage to that decade, many design trends have suddenly become modernized.
70s Interior Design Trends
1. Shag
Once upon a time, shag was everywhere. However, this trend was quickly thrown out the window with the embrace of clean lines. However, it is now being utilized as a way of making a space feel a bit homier.
You can use shag carpets in all kinds of areas. For instance, a bold color is a great way to make a statement and draw the room together. You can also utilize a neutral shag carpet in the living room to make it seem a bit warmer.
2. Hanging Chairs
Truthfully, we can’t figure out why hanging chairs disappeared, to begin with. Who doesn’t like swaying around in one of these hanging chairs?
While the chairs aren’t as common as they once were, many people still utilize them around their homes. For the most part, this seems to be an outdoor trend, though some people are using rattan hanging chairs inside.
There are many different styles of hanging chairs today. You can find wicker ones that are obviously a throwback to the 70s, but there are some more modern metal ones as well. They even make hanging chairs with stands that you don’t necessarily have to attach to the ceiling.
3. Rattan
It doesn’t get much more 70s than rattan. However, as long as you don’t overuse it, this material can make a room stand out and be very homey. We particularly recommend it in bedrooms, where you can find rattan headboards and other design elements without overpowering the room.
Having a rattan headboard is a lot different than all of your living room furniture being rattan, after all.
If you’re looking for an easygoing, laidback décor, then rattan may be exactly what you’re looking for.
4. Macrame
Macrame has come back into style in a big way as of late. You can now find it everywhere, including tutorials on how to make your own. While you can easily find macrame to buy, many people took this up as a hobby during the lockdown, which may explain its revival.
You can use macrame as simple wall hangings, but we recommend going a step further and choosing practical pieces as well. For instance, you can make macrame for hanging pots and lamps.
There are tons of textures and colors you can choose from, so you can find something for just about any style. Use it to add some interest to your room.
5. Terrazzo
Traditionally, terrazzo is a material that you use on your floors or walls. You can still find it utilized in bathrooms and kitchens, where it is often an alternative to tiles. However, you can also find terrazzo made into pots and other small pieces.
If you’re looking to add a little interest to a room, this is the way to go. You can find small candles and pots made of terrazzo in all sorts of different colors and designs. They look best in more modern areas where you just want to add a bit of style and surprise, which is likely why they are mostly utilized in kitchens and bathrooms.
6. Bold Colors
If you’re tired of the usual monochrome design, then you’re in luck. Bold colors are coming back in style with force. It seems that we all hung around in white living rooms for just a bit too long.
Choose a color and paint it all over the walls and then select some interesting patterns to go with it. Choosing one bold color and then pairing it with neutral tones is a great way to modernize this trend and make it a bit easier to swallow.
After all, you don’t want to absolutely overwhelm your company’s eyes when they walk into a room.
7. Velvet
Once upon a time, velvet was everywhere. Today, you’ll be lucky to find anything made out of velvet. However, this soft material is a great option for homes that are looking for something just a little bit different.
Plus, touching velvet is extremely satisfying, so we aren’t quite sure why we stopped adding it in homes, to begin with.
In the 70s, they used lots of velvet. While you don’t necessarily need to make your whole couch velvet today, adding a small pillow or something similar is a solid option.
8. Animal Print
As you might have noticed from our last example, animal print is also coming back into style. Whether you’re using cheetah print or tiger stripes, a bit of animal print is a bold choice that can pay off dividends. Just using a little bit of print in a room can be all you need to make a statement.
Of course, we don’t recommend going overboard like you might have seen in the 70s. Choose just one print on one piece of furniture and leave it at that.
If the room is otherwise minimalistic, animal print can be the statement piece that you need.
9. Vintage Rugs
Vintage rugs are a great option for bringing interest into a room. These rugs have made a resurgence over the past few years, so they are now widely available in many different styles. You can even use them in kitchens to bring a bit of interest to your otherwise boring floors.
Conclusion
While the 70s may be over and gone, you can look back to them for some inspiration. There are many trends from the 70s that are starting to make a comeback. Everyone seems a bit tired of the sterile, white, modern style, and many are reaching back to the 70s for the antidote.
Choosing just one or two styles off this list is a great way to make everything just a bit more interesting, especially if you’re working in a minimalistic area.
Featured Image Credit: brizmaker, Shutterstock
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